Been over a year since I first went to visit Tonkin Replicas Europe and so it was about time to once again meet.
Friday,
August 15th, I traveled with my best (Caterpillar) Friend Ad Gevers and
a box "Zeeuwse" sweet rolls (the bolussen were sold out!) off to
Montfoort to arrive shortly after noon at been warmly welcomed by Joris
Gielen and Joost Vermeij. Joost Vermeij since March 1th, 2014 joined the
European team and is responsible for Finance & Operations.
Thankfully no "smartly dressed bookkeeper" but a young guy who is just
like us completely weird of scale models.
It is clear to everyone
that in the first year Tonkin Replicas started with producing
Caterpillar scale models they have not been standing still. In fact
after the first announcement in 2013 of a large wheel loader program
there are currently already 19 Caterpillar scale models of all machine
types in the 1:50th and 1:87th range available or in the pipeline to be
released.
In addition, also Kobelco, Link Belt, Nooteboom, KAMAG
and Nicoloas have been added to the program. Because some of these
manufacturers use Caterpillar components, such as Engines in their 1:1
machines, we are also waiting anxiously what surprises this are going
to bring.
Furthermore the close collaboration with the Dutch
company Tekno, known worldwide for their excellent truck and trailers in
1:50th scale, since the beginning of 2014, will certainly contribute to
a higher quality and detail of the scale models Tonkin Replicas the
coming period will be producing.
Tonkin
Replicas has set the bar high for themselves and is constantly busy to
produce better Scale Models. Therefore it is nice that they listen to
the collectors and also give us the opportunity to share our experiences
with them. I am also critical about some of the newly released models,
but I am convinced that the interplay of Caterpillar and Tonkin Replicas
have to grow and how simple things can sometimes appear to be that
there was no other choice than to produce the model, while we must not
lose sight of the fact that all these Caterpillar scale models are
unfortunately not initially created for us as collectors but just for
marketing purposes of Caterpillar. Take it from me that Tonkin Replicas
perfectly can develop, produce and deliver Scale models.
Today we
were allowed to see the prototypes of the announced Caterpillar D6R
Track-Type Tractor and both Caterpillar 621K and 627K Wheel
Tractor-Scrapers and I can unfortunately, due to the stringent
requirements of Caterpillar, share no further pictures with you, but I
can you tell that Ad Gevers looked like a little boy on his first visit
in a candy store!!!
It
is expected that, when Caterpillar give their final approval to the
announced models, most models will be available in your diecast scale
model store or webshop before the upcoming christmas holidays. Of course
we can expect some surprises, but how well we did our best and tried to
distract Joris and Joost both gentlemen unfortunately did not leave us
alone for a moment so Ad and I could not have a sneak look in the office
cabinets or hack their computers. But there are some new announcements
in the pipeline that was obvious. So we all have to wait and see.....
At
the end of the afternoon we were friendly urged to return home, because
Joris and Joost had an eye on that we otherwise still had been there
until today.
Ad and Wouter
Joost Vermeij & Caterpillar MH3049 (Tonkin Replicas) and Wouter Mol (MiniMovers)
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